Coast Guard Station Oak Island Locates Missing Boaters

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Coast Guard Station Oak Island, N.C., responded to a report of a missing personal water craft with two people onboard and located the vessel near the Sunset Swing Bridge after a two-hour search Monday afternoon.

The missing personal water craft was expected back at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center at 2:30 p.m. Monday. When the personal water craft failed to show up, the fishing center notified the Coast Guard. The vessel was found shortly after 7 p.m. and escorted back ashore by a 25-foot boat crew. It was determined that the vessel had run aground in the Intercoastal Waterway, and lacked sufficient communication equipment to notify authorities. No one was injured.

“If you don’t have a radio, take a cell phone, and file a float plan in the event of an emergency,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class David Burr.